f 


a * 335 


m 


A DESCRIPTION 


1 

F 


OF THE 





W M 











INTERSECTED BT THE 



Chicago & Illinois River R. R 


BETIV 1]EN CHICAGO AND STKEATOR. 


I 


THEIR EXTENT, LIMITS, DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATION TO 
THE COAL TRADE OF CHICAGO AND THE 
NORTHWESTERN MARKET. 


BY C. D. WILBER, 

Inspector of Mining Lands. 


CHICAGO: 

KNIGHT & LEONARD, BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS.'” 

1873. 



. ? f. i 

C' TC . 

\ . 


i 


■ 4 ] : r <° 

v 

^m'4 


























































. 









* 
















A DESCRIPTION 


OP THE 


COAL LANDS 


INTERSECTED BY THE 


Chicago & Illinois River R. R. 

BETWEEN CHICAGO AND STREATOR. 


THEIR EXTENT, LIMITS, DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATION TO 
THE COAL TRADE OF CHICAGO AND THE 
NORTHWESTERN MARKET. 




BY C. D. W ILBER, 

n 

INSPECTOR OF MINING LANDS. 



, CHICAGO: 

KNIGHT & LEONARD, BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS, 
105-109 Madison Street. 









.°L 




- 5-7 







A DESCRIPTION OF THE COAL LANDS 


INTERSECTED BY THE 


CHICAGO & ILLINOIS RIVER R. R. 


T HE Great Illinois Coal Field extends its northeastern bound¬ 
ary so far towards Chicago that 60 miles distance will reach 
valuable coal lands, having from 3 feet to 3 feet 6 inches thick¬ 
ness of coal at an average depth of 100 feet. 

This northeastern extension, or elbow, discovered and 
developed within the last ten years, places coal forty miles nearer 
to Chicago than LaSalle, which was previously the nearest source 
of Illinois coal. It is called the “ Wilmington Coal Field,” from 
the name of the nearest town at the time of making the discovery 
above referred to, being four miles distant from the coal limit or 
boundary. 

The Chicago & St. Louis railroad runs through the south¬ 
eastern portion of this coal formation, upon which a large and 
rapidly growing coal trade has grown up since 1867, when min¬ 
ing operations were actively commenced by the Chicago & Wil¬ 
mington Coal Company. The extraordinary profits realized by 
them induced other companies to enter the same field, until 
there are now nine companies mining and shipping coal chiefly to 
Chicago, where it is either used or distributed upon the various 
railroads radiating from the city towards the north and north¬ 
west. 

Nearly all of the “ Wilmington 99 coal, so called, in the market, 
is shipped from Braidwood, situated on the extreme edge or 
boundary of the coal formation. This shipping point now 
contains 6,000 inhabitants. In 1867 there was not a person 
living there nor a house in sight, excepting a few rude shanties; 






4 DESCRIPTION OF COAL LANDS ON THE 


and the tract of land, or a large portion of it, was purchased the 
year previous for $15 per acre. It is estimated that the Chicago 
& Wilmington Coal Company, and other proprietors, have made 
$250,000 by the extra value of the surface in city lots. 

MacFarlane, the author of a recent extensive treatise on the 
“ Coal Regions of America,” thus describes this coal field and its 
relations to Chicago: 

“ On the extreme northeastern border of the coal field 
(Illinois) in Grundy, Livingston and Will counties, the measures 
contain a single seam of coal averaging 3 feet in thickness, which 
is overlaid by a heavy bed of clay-shale or soap-stone, that passes 
upward into a sandy shale or sandstone. In the vicinity of 
Morris the seam is about 30 feet below the surface, and averages 
above 30 inches in thickness. Along the line of the Chicago & 
St. Louis railroad, from Wilmington southward for 13 miles or 
more, this seam has been reached at many points, and its prox¬ 
imity to Chicago renders this locality a very important one to 
the interests of that city, distant 55 to 65 miles. 

Being the nearest point to that city where available coal can 
be found on any direct line of railroad communication, the ease 
and cheapness with which it can be reached by shafts, varying in 
depth from 30 to 200 feet, and the superior quality of coal it 
affords, renders this a very valuable and important deposit. 
Although its heating power is less than the same weight of 
eastern coals, it makes a good steam coal and is invaluable as a 
locomotive fuel in this country.” 

The accompanying map shows the boundary or limits of the 
workable or valuable coal lands embraced in this limited coal 
field. This boundary has been drawn from observations and 
evidences as follows: 

1st. A series of 85 tests including coal shafts now in opera¬ 
tion at Braidwood, Braceville, Gardner, Mazon and vicinity. 
(See list of tests.*) 

These tests have been made mostly under the superintendence 
of A. J. Matson, whose work has always been confirmed by shafts. 
They were made in all directions, north and northeast, west 
and northwest, south and southwest from Braidwood. The 
average thickness of the coal stratum is 3 feet and 3 inches, 

* See Appendix B. 

I ‘ 










CHICAGO & ILLINOIS RIVER RAILROAD. 


5 


with black slate roof, and occasionally sandy shale and sandstone. 
In the vicinity of Braidwood the average depth of shafts is 80 
feet; at Braceville 100 feet; at Gardner 160 feet. On the edge 
of the basin the coal appears much nearer the surface. 

2d. We find that Braidwood is located near the northeastern 
edge of the coal basin. In going one mile east the stratum 
rapidly rises, loses its roof and then disappears. 

3d. From Braidwood south, the line passes one-fourth to 
one-eighth of a mile from Hook’s, Conklin’s and Wilson’s shafts, 
as shown by tests. 

4th. From Braidwood northwest the line is so sharply 
defined that one-fourth mile distant from workable coal, tests 
show that the roof is wanting and in most cases the coal has 
disappeared. 

5th. As we go southwest from Braidwood, along the line of 
the Chicago & St. Louis railroad, the coal stratum is found at 
lower depths, as above stated, until at Dwight, after boring 500 
feet, no trace of coal was found. 

6th. Following the boundary on the north side, we find that, 
at Goose Lake, coal exists only in patches, or small basins from 
one to three acres, more or less, and is often found within twenty 
feet from the surface, showing that the persistent or uniform 
body of the coal deposit lies southward. At Morris the same 
phenomena occur, where most of the coal has been worked out, 
as the ruins of scores of old “ gins ” or “ whins ” bear witness. 

7th. On the southwest side, towards Streator, and in its 
vicinity, we find that the coal stratum suddenly disappears as 
we go north from Streator, and is found only in uncertain 
pockets. 

We are, therefore, obliged to say that this coal field is very 
limited, and is confined to a few townships and portions of town¬ 
ships, instead of underlying the whole country, as was and now is 
generally supposed. 

If the facts above recited were known and appreciated among 
the present owners of these lands, they could not be purchased 
for less than $250 per acre; and the day is not far distant when 
every acre of tested coal land in this field will be priced at $500 
per acre. 







6 


DESCRIPTION OF COAL LANDS ON THE 


It is a fact not generally recognized that the best coal lands 
are found on the border of the large coal fields or basins. 

Thus, in Ohio, the Briar Hill coal field is the extreme north 
and northeast portion. The Big Muddy coal of Illinois occurs 
along the southwestern portion of the great Illinois coal field; 
while the Block coal field of Indiana occupies the eastern and 
southeastern portion of the same field. 

The coals called “Wilmington,” “Gardner,” “Braceville” 
and “ Mazon ” are found on the northeastern border of the same 
general coal region. All these are known as the purest and best 
American bituminous coals. 

It would, then, follow that, in order to find the best coal of 
any country, search should be made on the borders of the great 
deposits. 

The following analysis of Western coals are presented for 
careful examination. They were made by the State Chemist, 
Dr. Joseph A. Sewall, of Bloomington, Professor of Chemistry 
in the State Normal University; and demonstrate the superiority 
of the coals under consideration: 

ANALYSIS. 

1st. Kewanee Coal. 


Specific gravity. 1.261 

Loss in coking. 43.1 

Total weight of coke. 56.9 


Moisture. 6.0 

Volatile matter . 37.1 

Carbon in coke. 49.9 

Asbes. 7.0 

- 100 . 


100 . 


2nd. La Salle Coal. 


Specific gravity. 1.2672 

Loss in coking. 43.7 

Total coke. 56.3 

—- 100 . 

Moisture. 7.8 

Volatile matter. 35.9 

Carbon in coke. 52.3 

Asbes. 4.0 

' —- 100 . 


Tbe vein has thin streaks of sulphuret of iron running in all directions. 


























CHICAGO & ILLINOIS RIVER RAILROAD. 


7 


3rd. La Salle Coal. No. 2. 

Specific gravity.1.2989 

Loss in coking.46.9 

Weight of coke. 53.1 

- 100. 

Moisture. 4.5 

Volatile matter. 42.4 

Carbon in coke. 40.3 

Ashes. 12.8 

- 100. 

4th. Streator Coal. 

Specific gravity.1.2265 

Loss in coking. 46.7 

Weight of coke. 53.3 

- 100. 

Moisture. 7.5 

Volatile matter. 39.2 

Carbon in coke. 45.8 

Ashes. 7.5 

- 100. 

5th. Morris Coal. 

Specific gravity.1.259 

Loss in coking... 45.5 

Total weight of coke. 54.5 

- 100. 

Moisture . 9.0 

Volatile matter. 36.5 

Carbon in coke. 47.8 

Ashes. 6.7 

- 100. 

6th. Wilmington Coal. 

Specimen from Goose Lake Mine, north side coal field. 

Specific gravity.1.2165 

Loss in coking. 47.95 

Total weight of coke. 52.05 

- 100. 

Moisture. 4.00 

Volatile matter. 43.95 

Carbon in coke. 49.15 

Ashes. 2.90 

- 100. 

7th. Diamond Mine. 

Wilmington coal; shaft, three miles northwest of Braidwood. Report 
of the result of analysis of specimens of coal from the Diamond Mine, 
Grundy county, Illinois. 











































8 


DESCRIPTION OF COAL LANDS ON THE 


Specific gravity. 1.2975 

Parts in 100: 

Water. 6.983 

Ashes. 5.972 

Total incombustible matter.. 12.955 

Coke. 53.377 

Ashes. 5.972 


Fixed carbon. 47.405 

Volatile matter.. 39.642 

Total combustible matter . 87.047 

Summary: Diamond Mine. 

Water. 6.981 

Ashes. 5.972 

Hydro carbon. 39.642 

Fixed carbon. 47.405 


Total.100.000 

In three specimens I found a trace of sulphur in one, in the other two 
no trace whatever. 

Diamond Mine. Analysis No. 2. 

Result of analysis of coal taken from mine two and a half miles north¬ 
west from Braidwood station: 

Specific gravity.1.2976 

Parts in 100: 

Water. 7.013 

Ashes. 5.287 

Total incombustible matter. 12.300 

Hydro carbon, or volatile combustible matter. 39.761 

Fixed carbon. 47.939 

Total combustible matter. 87.700 


100.000 

Fixed carbon, plus ashes=coke. 

No trace of sulphur in three specimens examined. 

JOSEPH A. SEWALL, M. D., 

Analytical Chemist. 

State Normal University, Aug. 14, 1873. 



































CHICAGO & ILLINOIS RIVER RAILROAD. 9 


In describing the quality of these coals nothing can be more 
satisfactory than the following results of experiments made by 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company in 1866-7, 
under the direction of Robt. Harris, Esq., General Superin¬ 
tendent, viz: 

One ton Kewanee coal (mined at Kewanee, Chicago, Burling¬ 
ton & Quincy Railroad, 130 miles from Chicago), 2,240 lbs., drew 
a train of cars 57 miles. 

One ton of Wilmington coal drew the same train over the 
same track, starting from the same point, 75 miles, giving to the 
Wilmington coal an advantage of 30 per cent. 

The experiment of C. F. Jauriet, Superintendent of the Loco¬ 
motive Department, Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 
gave similar results, but in a different form, viz: 

“ One pound of Wilmington coal converts 7 to 7J- lbs. of water 
into steam; while one pound of Kewanee coal converts 6 to 6^- 
lbs. of water into steam.” 

Mr. Jauriet also states “that the ‘ Wilmington’ coal leaves no 
clinker on the grate bars, which makes a difference additional in 
its favor of 50 cents per ton for locomotive use.” 

Compared with Illinois and Western coals generally for loco¬ 
motives, it stands first on the list. Certificates for this statement 
can be had from all railway officers familiar with the use of 
Western coals. 

The attempt to convert this coal into coke has been made a 
complete success at the coke-ovens of the Joliet Iron and Steel 
Works, at Joliet, Illinois, where it is now largely used in the 
smelting furnaces. It is also extensively used in some of the iron 
establishments in Chicago, and will come into general use as soon 
as arrangements can be made for its extensive manufacture.* 

In rolling mills, large quantities of this have been and are now 
used in a raw state, or direct from the mines. It answers this 
purpose as well as any of the Eastern coals. It was first tried at 
the Wyandotte Iron Works, near Detroit, in 1866. After a series 
of careful experiments, Capt. E. B. Ward, the well known pro¬ 
prietor, made the following statement, viz: “ The discovery that 
the Wilmington coal will re-roll iron as well as any coal in Amer¬ 
ica adds millions of dollars to the value of that coal field.” 


* See Appendix A. 

I 









10 


DESCRIPTION OF COAL LANDS ON THE 


In June of the same year he bargained for the purchase of 
2,500 acres of these coal lands, and was prevented from conclud¬ 
ing the purchase by the destruction of his rolling mills in Chi¬ 
cago, in June, 1866. The price agreed on was $110 per acre, 
cash, including commissions. 

Compared with the Indiana block coal, for steam purposes, 
after 100 experiments, the Wilmington coal was rated at 10, while 
the block coal was only 7, in performing the same service. 

As a steam coal it is unsurpassed, and, considering its cheap¬ 
ness, unequaled by any other coal in the West. 

In grates, stoves, or furnaces, it burns with a clear white flame 
and entirely consumes, leaving only 5 or 6 per cent, of ash. It is 
almost entirely free from sulphur. The only fact urged against 
it is that “it burns rapidly,” which is the same as saying that a 
bushel of this coal weighs 75 lbs., instead of 78 or 80 lbs. 

Every effort has been made to depreciate Western coals in 
comparison with the Eastern soft coals. 

Capitalists, Eastern coal companies, and transportation com¬ 
panies have united in this crusade, and have paid hireling geolo¬ 
gists and chemists thousands of dollars to write down our coals, 
in order to secure and enlarge the demand for Eastern coals. But 
the triumph and success of our Wilmington, Braceville, Braid- 
wood, Gardner, Mazon and Streator coals is now assured, not 
only beyond controversy, but beyond competition; and this vic¬ 
tory has been obtained solely by merit and prices. Based upon 
these facts, viz, the extraordinary quality of these coals, and their 
complete adaptation to all purposes, their proximity to the Chicago 
market, and, by the Chicago system of railroads, their easy and 
rapid distribution to the North and Northwest, it is certain that 
the mining and shipping of these coals will soon reach enormous 
proportions. 

However fierce the struggle is now, or may become, in order 
to keep the Hocking Valley, Massilon, Walnut Hill, Briar Hill 
or Pittsburg coal in demand in this market, the result is sure to 
come, viz: that the “Wilmington coal” will supply nine-tenths 
of all the orders for soft coal until this coal field is exhausted. 

The Wilmington coals are mined only 60 miles from Chicago ; 
Hocking Valley 360 miles ; Briar Hill 400 miles; Pittsburg 475 
miles. It costs at least $5.00 per ton by rail from Pittsburg; 







CHICAGO & ILLINOIS RIVER RAILROAD. 


‘11 


$4.50 from Briar Hill, and $4.25 or $4.00 from Hocking Valley. 
Now add to these $2.50 at the mines, including coal and costs, 
and we have $7.50, $7.00 and $6.75 as cost in Chicago, against 
$3.25 or $3.00 per ton as cost of the Wilmington coal in Chicago 
with the same rate per ton per mile. It is impossible for any 
railroad to haul coal for a less rate than 1£ cents per ton per 
mile, and distances from Chicago can never be less. The Wil¬ 
mington coal can he put on the cars at the mines for $2.50 per 
ton, and delivered in Chicago for $3.50, with as much profit as 
can be made for the above named coals at $8.00 per ton. 

Little need be said farther in favor of a class of coals 400 
miles away that must he sold for $8.00 per ton to make a living 
profit, in competition with a class of coals as good for all pur¬ 
poses, only 60 miles distant, and offered in the same market at 
less than $4.00 per ton. A few persons will purchase a favorite 
coal, no matter at what price, as suits their fancy, just as they 
would huv a favorite brand of flour or wine. But the laborer, 

•j ' 

manufacturer, railway agent — in short nine-tenths of our citizens 
— are hound by the law of economy and can have no choice. 

We can not better illustrate the increasing demand for coal in 
the West than by introducing the following table, showing The 
amount of coal received at Chicago during each year from 1852 
to 1872 inclusive: 


1852 . 

. 46,233 

1863 . 

. 284,196 

1853 . 

. 38,548 

1864 . 

. 323,275 

1854 . 

. 56,755 

1865 . 

. 344,854 

1855 . 

. 109,576 

1866 . 

. 486,193 

1856 . 

. 93,020 

1867 .. 

. 546,208 

1857 . 

. 171,350 

1868 . 

. 658,234 

1858 . 

. 87,209 

1869 . 

. 799,000 

1859 . 

. 131,204 

1870 . 

. 887,474 

1860 . 

. 131,080 

1871. 

.1,081,472 

1861 .. 

. 184.089 

1872 . 

.1,216,548 

1862 . 

. 218,423 

1873 (estimated). 

.1,500,000 


With this yearly rate of increase and growth of the Chicago 
market, we estimate that Chicago will receive for the year 1880 
six millions of tons of coal. This amount is independent of the 
immense distribution of coal in northern Illinois, northern Iowa, 
northern Indiana, Wisconsin and Minnesota, which are now so 
completely intersected by railway systems, that coal can be 































12 


DESCRIPTION OF COAL LANDS ON THE 


carried by cars within easy reach of every person. What this 
amount is now, or will become in ten years, it is not easy to 
determine. During the last five years the demand on all coal 
mines, on the northern border of the Illinois coal field, has been 
three times the supply. The coal operators have used every 
means, in anticipating this demand, by providing new shafts, 
more miners and extra cars. The demand, notwithstanding, con¬ 
stantly increases, so that only one-third of the orders are filled. 
It will continue to increase in an arithmetical ratio until coal 
shall be the principal fuel used throughout the Northwest. 

The States of the Northwest not producing but consuming 
coal are Wisconsin, Minnesota, northern Iowa, and also north¬ 
ern Illinois, and have a population as follows: 

Wisconsin in 1860 liad 
“ 1870 “ 

Minnesota in 1860 “ 

“ 1870 “ 

Iowa in 1860 “ 

“ 1870 “ 

Illinois in 1860 “ 

“ 1870 “ 

This demand is based upon the economy of coal over wood as 
fuel, both for steam and domestic use. The ratio of cost between 
coal and wood is as one to two — namely, each locomotive uses 
2-j tons per day; each family of five persons will consume 5 tons 
annually, between the parallels of 38° and 42° north latitude — 
that is, one ton for each person. 

That this demand will soon reach millions of tons, and com¬ 
mand many millions of dollars, is certain. That it will be sup¬ 
plied from the nearest coal fields is also certain. It is equally 
certain that the largest portion of this demand must be supplied 
from the coal field now under consideration, provided that trans¬ 
portation is made both cheap and competent.* 

The amount of coal contained under one acre is nearly 5,000 
tons. Now, allowing 1,000 tons waste, each acre will yield 4,000 
tons of marketable coal. The area of this limited coal field may 
be estimated at 120,000 acres, containing 480,000,000 tons of coal. 
The amount mined out at the various mines in Braidwood and 


775,881 inhabitants. 
1,854,670 
172,023 
439,706 
674,913 
1,194,020 
1,711,951 
2,539,891 


* See Appendix C. 
















CHICAGO & ILLINOIS RIVER RAILROAD. 


13 


vicinity, including the coal sold to supply the surrounding 
country, was 300,000 tons in 1870. For the year ending Decem¬ 
ber 30th, 1873, it may be estimated at 500,000 tons; and for the 
year 1880, 3,000,000 tons will he mined and carried away. 

It should he inferred from this that no first-class coal mining 
company should be established in this field with less than 1,000 
acres, or 4,000,000 tons of coal. The value of coal stocks depends 
not only upon dividends, but their permanence also. 

At the present rate of mining, two to three acres per week 
are mined out. The demand for 1873-4, being estimated at 
3,000 tons per day, or 300 car loads, will exhaust 222 acres in 
one year. 

It is reasonable, therefore, to say that in seven years, or in 
1880, 1,000 acres will be exhausted or consumed by the various 
companies for that year. 

It will be seen, also, that it is much better to purchase these 
lands at $200 to $300 per acre than to work them on a royalty of 
15 cents per ton, or $600 per acre. It is certain, too, that the 
royalty will soon be raised to 25 cents per ton, or $1,000 per acre. 

Mr. Daniel Small, of Wilmington, has received from the C. & 
W. Coal Company $40,000 since 1866, on a lease (at 15 cents per 
ton) of 160 acres, which is not half exhausted. In five years more 
he will have received $80,000 from a tract of land which, in 1866, 
was offered to the coal company at $100 per acre. 

This coal field, separated from the great body of the Illinois 
coal field, and lying so near Chicago and the vast area of densely- 
peopled country to the west and northwest of Chicago, bears a 
close resemblance in position to the Briar Hill or Mahoning 
Valley coal deposit in Ohio, which is reached by rail at Youngs¬ 
town, 69 miles from Cleveland, Ohio. While this excellent coal 
has had much to do in making Cleveland the most important 
city in Ohio, in sustaining her vast system of iron-works, we may 
notice, also, that the demand for coal, which was insignificant 
fifteen years ago, has now assumed immense proportions. The 
lands in this coal region, as soon as they are proved to be under¬ 
laid with coal, are valued at $1,000 per acre. The royalty is 75 
cents to $1 per ton. 

It is thus easy to demonstrate that the Wilmington coal field, 
having such advantage of position, affords more encouragement 
to capital and mining enterprise than any other in America. 







14 


DESCRIPTION OF COAL LANDS ON THE 


All the conditions of success are combined, or can be com¬ 
bined, in this coal field, to an extent not known in any other 
unoccupied coal field in the world, viz: 

1. A good quality of coal. 

2. Sufficient in quantity. 

3. Cheapness of mining. 

4. Regularity of production. 

5. Cheap transportation. 

6. Good market. 

Enough has been done already to thoroughly develop these 
lands, both by shafts and tests, so that capital is now secure in 
investments. These lands are now regarded and valued at $300 
and $400 per acre by the companies already working them; and 
as fast as they are worked they yield $600 per acre, as before 
stated, with 15 cents per ton royalty. 

In addition to the value of the coal, the value of the surface 
should also be considered. The entire body of coal lands inter¬ 
sected by the Chicago and Illinois river is a continuous series of 
farms, most of which are in a high state of cultivation with valu¬ 
able improvements. They are worth, as farms, $50 and $60, now, 
per acre; and will be worth $100 per acre as soon as the railroad 
is finished. 

The crop of hay is, in many instances, 2^ tons per acre, worth 
$18 per ton in Chicago. With the immense mining population 
which must soon be subsisted from farm products, the surface 
value of these lands will be greatly enhanced. 

The companies already organized in this field are as follows : 

1st. The Chicago, Wilmington & Vermilion Coal Company 

own 2,240 acres, and have a capital of $2,000,000. They have 

five shafts in operation at Braidwood, and two at Streator. They 

own also 500 coal cars. 

» 

2d. Union Coal and Iron Transportation Company own 560 
acres, and work two shafts. The product is shipped chiefly to the 
Joliet Iron and Steel Works and to Chicago Rolling Mills. This 
company is owned by A. B. Meeker & Co. 









CHICAGO & ILLINOIS RIVER RAILROAD. 


15 


3d. Wilmington Coal Mining and Manufacturing Company 
—Diamond Mine — own 1,000 acres and 50 cars; capital, 
$500,000; two shafts; daily product in winter, 200 tons; daily 
product in summer, 150 tons, from one shaft, the other not yet 
finished. 

4th. Star Coal Company have a lease on 240 acres; work two 
shafts; royalty, 15 cents per ton; capital stock, $50,000; winter, 
daily product, 300 tons; summer daily product, 150 tons. 

5th. Kings’ shaft, formerly “Braidwood Coal Company;” 
capital, $40,000; have a lease on 200 acres; product, 100 tons per 
day in winter; in summer, 50 tons per day. 

6th. The Kankakee River Company own 600 acres, hut have 
not commenced operations. 

7th. At Braceville there are two shafts: Augustine’s 800 
acres, and Bruce & Co.’s 320 acres, just finished. 

8th. The Gardner Coal Company work one shaft at Gardner, 
Illinois. 


The Chicago & St. Louis railroad is a single track from 
Chicago to Wilmington (53 miles), and has a steep grade of 55 
feet per mile, rising toward Chicago from the Kankakee river. 
The coal trains average 20 cars per train, or 200 tons each, 
requiring four to ten trains per day, varying with the winter and 
summer demand. 

On a railroad whose heaviest grade does not exceed 20 feet 
per mile, one locomotive can haul 60 cars with nearly the same 
cost as 20 cars on the Chicago & St. Louis railroad. 

Taking the shipments for the year 1873-4 at 1,200 tons per 
day, over the Chicago & St. Louis railroad, and allowing only 
300 days for the year, we have 360,000 tons, upon which $1.40 per 
ton is charged by the railroad company. This amounts to $504,000 
on a line less that 60 miles in length. 

If, therefore, it is true — and it is here proved — that the 
Chicago & St. Louis railroad, with a single track, excessive 
grades and poor equipment, actually receives money enough to 
pay for the entire road every two years — or over $1,000,000 — 







I 

1G DESCRIPTION OF COAL LANDS ON THE 

we hazard nothing in saying that the coal traffic on the line of 
the Chicago and Illinois river will amount, in freight receipts on 
coal alone, to a sum sufficient, each year, to pay the cost of con¬ 
structing the road 60 miles, from Chicago to Mazon, the center 
of the coal region. 

Respectfully submitted, 

C. D. WILBER, 

Inspector of Mining Lands. 















CHICAGO & ILLINOIS RIVER RAILROAD. 


17 


APPENDIX A. 


Joliet, III., August 11th, 1873. 
Prof. C. D. Wilber, Inspector of Mining Lands: 

Dear Sir: I have been experimenting twenty years with Illinois coal, 
to manufacture a coke having the qualities requisite for the reduction of 
iron ores. During this period I have been told repeatedly by the “ Wise 
Men” that “ I would never see a ton of iron made with Illinois coal 
or coke.” 

After trying to make coke from Illinois coal in all the kinds of ovens 
in use, both in the United States and Europe, I succeeded, in the fall of 
1872, in making a superb article of coke from the “Wilmington” coal, 
with a batch of twenty-five ovens, of Prussian invention, erected at Joliet 
by A. B. Meeker, Esq., President of the Joliet Iron and Steel Works. 

The first experiment to smelt iron ore with this coke was made, in the 
fall of the same year, at the Brighton Blast Furnace, Chicago. After 
using 1,300 tons of coke of my first manufacture from the Wilmington 
coal, I received from Joseph Torrance, Esq., Superintendent of the fur¬ 
naces, and now General Superintendent of the Joliet Iron and Steel Works, 
the statement that this coke produced an excellent quality of pig-iron. 

The coke made from the mines at Braidwood, Braceville, Gardner and 
Streator was nearly uniform in quality. 

Ten tons of coal or slack weighed to the ovens will yield from 45 to 50 
per cent, of coke, and no coking coal in the United States can show a 
higher rate per cent. 

These facts, now daily proved at the Joliet Coke Works, where a large 
number of ovens are employed in making coke which is daily consumed in 
the blast furnaces, are a positive assurance that, in or near this coal-field, 
will be one of the great iron manufacturing centers of the world. 

Why should we longer ship the Lake Superior ores to Pittsburg, 
Youngstown, Newcastle and Cleveland, at a cost of $6.00 to $7.50 per ton 
for freight on iron ore, and then ship back the pig-iron, rails and bars to 
Chicago and the West at a cost of $8.00 per ton more, with a commission 
of $5.00; making an extra and needless cost of $21.50 per ton, which the 
Western consumer is now obliged to pay? 

It requires four feet square of ground to raise one hill of corn, which is 
worth one cent in our Western market. The coal contained under the same 
surface is worth $6.00 in Chicago. So that it will take 600 years of farming 
and corn-raising to equal the mining product or value of the same area 
of land. Yours truly, 


JAMES WATSON. 








18 


DESCRIPTION OF COAL LANDS ON THE 


APPENDIX B. 

LIST OF COAL TESTS 

Made by Matson and others upon the Coal-fields situated upon 

AND ADJACENT TO THE LINE OF THE CHICAGO & ILLINOIS RlVER 
Railroad. 


Number of 
Test. 

Sec¬ 

tion. 

Township. 

County. 

Depth in 
Feet. 

Thickness 
of Coal 
in 

Feet and 
Inches. 

Remarks. 

1 

25 

Felix. 

Grundy ... 

41 

3 feet. 


2 

26 

tt 

tt 

64 

3 “ 


3 

it 

tt 

tt 

70 

3 “ . 

And good roof. 

4 

35 

tt 

tt 

100 

3 “ 


5 

i 1 

ti 

tt 

101 

3 “ 


6 

36 

tt 

tt 

65 

3 “ . 

Rays. 

7 

it 

tt 

tt 

60 

3 “ . 

Shorts. 

8 

tl 

tt 

tt 

62 

3 “ 


9 

1 

It 

Braceville. 

tt 

tt 

tt 

101 

Q9 

3 “ ) 

q tt { 

Diamond Shaft, No. 1. 

10 

11 

fct 

it 

tt 

100 

s “ :::\ 

8 tests and 2 shafts. 

12 

2 

tt 

it 

101 

3 “ 


13 

12 

tt 

it 

90 

2 ft. 2 in. 


14 

13 

it 

ti 

98 

3 “ 3 “ 


15 

15 

tt 

tt 

95 

3 feet. 


16 

25 

tt 

ti 

100 

3 “ . 

James’ Shaft. 

17 

26 

ti 

tt 

101 

3 “ . 

Augustine’s Shaft. 

18 

34 

it 

tt 

140 

3 “ . 

Mazon’s Shaft. 

19 

4 

Greenfield. 

tt 

160 

3 “ . 

Gardner’s Shaft. 

20 

24 

tt 

it 

70 

3 “ . 

Willson’s Shaft. 

21 

30 

Wilmington... 

Will. 

45 

3 ft. 3 in. 


22 

tt 

it 

tt 

49 

3 “ 3 “ 


23 

31 

11 

tt 

60 

3 feet. 


24 

it 

ti 

ti 

40 

3 “ 


25 

tt 

tt 

tt 

40 

3 “ . 

Brown’s Shaft. 

26 

tt 

it 

tt 

40 

3 ft. 2 in. 


27 

32 

tc 

tt 

42 

3 “ 3 “ 

Carroll’s Shaft. 

28 

it 

tt 

it 

60 

3 “ 4 “ .. 

Adams’ u 

29 

33 

tt 

tt 

56 

3 “ 3 “ 


30 

ti 

tt 

tt 

40 

3 feet. 


31 

3 

Reed. 

tt 

43 

3 “ . 

Miller’s Shaft. 

32 

ti 

ti 

tt 

35 

3 “ 


33 

tt 

tt 

tt 

50 

3 “ 


34 

it 

tt 

tt 

48 

3 “ 


35 

4 

ti 

it 

65 

3 “ 


36 

it 

tt 

tt 

35 

3 “ . 

Glenny’s Shaft. 

37 4 

bet. 

4 & 9 

. 

tt 

62 


Faulty, 2 small veins. 

38 

5 

ti 

tt 

63 

3 ft. 3 in... 

F Shaft. 

39 

tt 

tt 

tt 

65 

3 “ 4 “ 

II & S Shaft. 

40 

ti 

ti 

it 

72 

3 feet. 

Star Coal Co. 

41 

it 

ti 

tt 

70 

3 ft. 2 in... 

B Shaft. 

42 

7 

tt 

tt 

79 

8 “ 4 “ 

G. Shaft. 

43 

it 

it 

tt 

72 4 

3 feet. 


44 

tt 

tt 

tt 

73 3 

3 “ 


45 

tt 

ti 

ti 

115 

3 ft. 6 in... 

Eureka Shaft, No. 1 . 

46 

tt 

tt 

tt 

88 

3 “ 6 “ .. 

“ “ No. 2 . 

47 

8 

it 

ti 

79 

3 “ 3 “ . 

C Shaft. 

48 

tt 

it 

tt 

82 

3 “ 3 “ .. 

E Shaft. 

49 

tt 

tt 

tt 

76 

3 feet. 

Star Coal Co. 

50 

tt 

tt 

it 

80 

3 “ 


51 

it 

tt 

tt 

74 

3 ft. 10 in.. 

Old Eagle Shaft. 





























































CHICAGO & ILLINOIS RIYER RAILROAD. 


19 


LIST OF COAL TESTS —Continued. 


Number of 
Test. 

Sec¬ 

tion. 

Township. 

County. 

Depth in 

Feet. 

Thickness 
of Coal 
in 

Feet and 
Inches. 

Remarks. 

52 

9 

Reed. 

Will. 

68 

3 feet. 


53 

tt 

tt 

tt 

107 

No coal... 

Fault. 

54 

44 

tt 

tt 

38 

1 ft. 8 in... 

tt 

55 

10 

tt 

tt 

50 

Some coal, not reliable. 

tt tt tt tt 

56 

15 

11 

tt 

90 


57 

17 

tt 

tt 

84 

3 ft. 2 in. 


58 

tt 

tt 

t. 

92 

3 feet. 


59 

18 

tt 

tt 

86 

3 “ 


60 

19 

tt 

tt 

91 

3 “ 


61 

28 

tt 

tt 

110 

No coal. 


62 

it 

tc 

tt 

92 

3 feet. 


63 

29 

tt 

tt. 

89 

3 ft. 2 in. 


64 

30 

tt 

tt 

78 

3 “ 4 “ 


65 

66 

32 

tt 

tt 

85 

3 feet. 


4 

Essex. 

Kankakee. 

49 

1 ft. 10 in. 


67 

6 

tt 

tt 

94 

3 feet. 


68 

8 

tt 

tt 

57 

3 ft. 2 in. 


69 

It 

tt 

11 



Gregson’s Shaft. 

70 

tt 

tt 

tt 

63 

2 ft. 10 in. 

Hook’s Shaft. 

71 

tt 

tt 

tt 

75 

No coal. 


72 

19 

tt 

tt 

65 

3 feet. 

Conklin’s Shaft. 

73 

74 

6 

Reed. 

Will . 

79 

3 ft. 3 in... 

H Shaft, 

31 

Wilmington... 

tt 

78 

3f.4i.fo4f. 

Diamond Shaft, No. 2. 

75 

33 

Felix. 

Grundy ... 

tt 

110 

3 feet. 

And good roof. 

I 11 bed of creek, 30-foot bank 

76 

77 

6 

Braceville. 

3 ft. 9 in... 

27 

tt 

tt 

110 

3 feet 

78 

9 

Greenfield. 

tt 

192 

3 “ 


79 

13 

Mazon. 

tt 

49 

3 ft. 2 in... 

40 feet of rock. 

80 

81 

tt 

tt 

tt 

47 

3 feet. 

tt tt tt tt 

34*35 

tt 

tt 

92 

3 “ 


82 

83 

84 

85 

86 

27 

29 

32 

tt 

tt 

tt 

Wilmington... 
“ N.W. 14 
“ N. E. J4 
“ S. E. 14 

tt 

Will 

tt 

t • 

tt 

65 

3 “ 

No coal. 

No roof. 

No coal. 

No roof. 



State of Illinois,) 

County of Cook. \ 

I, Charles D. Wilber, Inspector of mining lands, and from 1858 to 1865, 
Secretary of the Illinois State Natural History Society, do hereby certify 
that I have been for fourteen years officially connected with the develop¬ 
ment of the coal-fields of Illinois; that I am thoroughly conversant with 
said coal-fields, especially with those in Will, Grundy, Kankakee, and 
LaSalle counties. That I am personally cognizant of the tests hereinbefore 
noted, and know the foregoing statement to be correct in all particulars. 

C. D. WILBER. 


Chicago, August 5th, 1873. 
















































































20 


DESCRIPTION OF COAL LANDS. 


APPENDIX 0. 

Table showing the receipts of coal at Chicago for the year 
ending Dec. 31, 1872, from all routes: 


Received by Lake.500,000 tons 

Chicago & Northwestern R. R. 12,036 “ 

Illinois Central R. R. 63,731 “ 

Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific R. R.. .. . 21,926 “ 

Chicago, Burlington & Quincy R. R. 26,520 “ 

Chicago & St. Louis R. R. 233,450 “ 

Lake Shore & Michigan Southern R. R. 5,270 “ 

Pittsburg & Ft. Wayne R. R. 70,924 “ 

Pittsburg, Chicago & St. Louis R. R.208,022 “ 

Chicago, Danville & Vincennes. 74,669 “ 


Total, 1872.-.1,216,548 “ 


We quote the following from the Chicago Times of Dec. 2, 
1872: 

“The amount of capital invested in the coal trade, in expensive 
machinery at the mines, in the employment of labor, in miners’ wages, in 
coal cars, vessels, buildings, dock-yards, stock on hand, etc. etc., is enormous. 
Competent judges place it at $6,000,000. It probably exceeds that amount. 
The trade is constantly and rapidly increasing. What the future will be 
no one can tell or scarcely imagine. That it will be stupendous no one 
can doubt. 


(From the Chicago Times, Aug. 6.) 

Surrounding Pittsburg are 120 coal mines, which give employment to 
8,000 miners. The amount of capital invested in these mines is over 
$15,000,000. The number of acres of coal land under development is 30,250, 
which command from $500 to $1,500 per acre, according to location and 
quality. The total receipts of coal in Pittsburg for 1872 were 4,233,274 
tons. In 1871 the receipts were 3,722,524 tons, giving an increase in 1872 
of 510,750 tons over the product of 1871. 





















Pat>Kai 


€ (H-W-ltlm-il: 


SHOWING THE 


Kvlnston 


OF THE jc 


Chicago to str£ 




PEKAL 


carpi* ary L/ry. ppejs. 


Ail still 


JLa I* oBT 




MICAGO 


ilaywoud 


.I.l n il w -I. n .,11 


klin Qf 




LyonsPlO. 


AVVst Lyons 


1 ; owners (>ro 


/ o W 


»-*4 . .. 


A u rota 


iprm$s 


>L«kf 

ZuLtintl 


cmoiit 


fejfidpa 


Hom e wood 


[Ubficht 


She rid a 


JC L1ET 


atteponJ 


'Dayton 


Coodnow 


M ORRIS 


Caalmaci 


ier Sfa. 


VIlaw Head IPO 
- PeWok I— 


;ive ’■ 




Inmcntif 


•STREATQR 


enr^ 




Blackstor 


Nevada 


Blackstoite 


'AL-r'cT^' 


ollins 


St Apne 


ptSE 




r/lr' 

=*“ - ' 


eht 



H 







i 



1 




• 
















— 








1 cd 
























































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































